CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Supreme Court has authorized work-from-home (WFH) and videoconferencing arrangements for several trial courts in the Visayas and Mindanao following the recent earthquakes that damaged multiple courthouses.
In a memorandum issued on October 17, 2025, Court Administrator Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta, by authority of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, ordered adjustments in court operations to protect the welfare of judges and court personnel while ensuring uninterrupted judicial services.
The directive covers the trial courts in Roxas City, Capiz; Iloilo City, Iloilo; Bogo City, Cebu City, Argao, and Borbon-Tabogon, Cebu (5th MCTC) Cebu; Baganga, Davao Oriental; and Laak, Davao de Oro.
It also applies to the Offices of the Regional Court Manager (ORCM) for Judicial Regions VI, VII, and XI.
The ORCMs in these regions were tasked to monitor the implementation of the directive and submit updates to the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) regarding relocation or alternative facilities for temporary court operations.
Courts in the affected areas are authorized to conduct videoconferencing whenever possible, especially for urgent cases such as applications for bail; petitions for habeas corpus; marriage solemnizations; and other similar proceedings.
The memorandum added that all official hotlines and communication channels must remain active and responsive to ensure the timely submission and resolution of cases.
Once suitable temporary or relocation sites are identified, courts shall deploy a skeleton workforce to retrieve court records and essential documents from damaged courthouses. This will be done under the supervision of presiding judges and clerks of court.
Meanwhile, the work suspension at Branches 5 to 10 of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC), located at the Annex City Hall of Justice in Iloilo City, has been lifted. Regular court operations will resume immediately.
The SC directive comes as part of the judiciary’s emergency response measures to ensure the continuity of judicial services in disaster-affected areas while prioritizing the safety of court personnel and litigants.
No in-person classes in Mandaue
Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano announced that there will still be no face-to-face classes in both public and private schools across the city, and will remain suspended from October 20 to 24, 2025, or until further notice.
However, he clarified that both synchronous and asynchronous modes of learning are allowed for public and private schools.
The mayor explained that, in response to requests for flexibility, schools may continue classes through asynchronous or synchronous methods as alternative modes of instruction, for as long as there are no physical or in-person classes for now.
He said the continued suspension of face-to-face classes will allow students and their families more time to cope with the recent series of earthquakes and ensure everyone’s safety.
“While the Mandaue City Government hopes to return to normal soon, we cannot take chances with the safety and well-being of our students and teachers,” the mayor said, as he reminded Mandauehanons to stay alert because aftershocks are still being fel
Meanwhile, Councilor Jennifer Del Mar expressed concern for both students and teachers, saying that, if possible, classes should continue online in the meantime.
She has passed a resolution supporting this move. “Our top priority is the safety of the students and teachers,” Del Mar said.
The councilor emphasized that she does not want parents to worry about their children’s safety while at work, especially with the possibility of more earthquakes. “We don’t want that feeling — the trauma and mental impact this situation could bring to our kids,” she added.
To recall, at least 70 students from various schools in Mandaue were rushed to hospitals after experiencing anxiety and panic attacks following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Davao Oriental and was felt in Cebu on October 10.
Classes were immediately suspended after that to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and school personnel.
| Written by Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Kristin De Dios/RAE
